I was hoping for a comedy plot... but these were the hardest scenes I've filmed

Emmerdale veteran shocked by character's tragic new storyline

- SUE CRAWFORD

TONY Audenshaw dreamt his traumatised Emmerdale character Bob Hope would enjoy some comic relief this year - but 2024 has started with his worst-ever horror.

Bob was put through the mill in 2023, suffering a heart attack after partner Wendy Posner (Susan Cookson) had an affair.

But show bosses told Tony they wanted to pile on the pain with his son, Heath, dying in a New Year's Day joy-ride crash.

Shocked viewers last night saw Bob's agony as the 16-year-old was found dead in the overturned car.

To make it even worse, Heath's twin sister, Cathy, had been behind the wheel.

Tony, 59, who has played happy-go-lucky B&B owner Bob for 23 years, confessed he was shocked when he learnt about the harrowing storyline.